.

EDITORIAL

Pak suspended

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has unanimously decided to suspend Pakistan from the Council of 54-member body. They have strongly condemned military take-over and have refused to grant it any legitimacy by seeking immediate restoration of democracy and rule of law in Pakistan. This is the severest possible action ever since Pakistan came into being....more

UN Sanctions

United Nations have imposed stringent sanctions against Taliban Government of Afghanistan for its failure to hand-over Osama bin Laden to either USA or any other third country. It may be recalled that UN had put Kabul on notice....more

Tragedy of collective
neglect

By G. S. Khosla
The preliminary enquiry report on the recent train tragedy at ....more

Top priority to security in coming millennium

By D K Arora
Among other thing, the security of civil aviation may very well be...more

Law bends the poor,
but fails to break the rich

By Joginder Singh, IPS (Retd.)
Financial mismanagement and lapses have led to losses in the.....more

Nehru was pained to see untouchability

By Bindeshwar Pathak
Jawaharlal Nehru's great contributions as an architect of .....more

EDITORIAL

Pak suspended

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has unanimously decided to suspend Pakistan from the Council of 54-member body. They have strongly condemned military take-over and have refused to grant it any legitimacy by seeking immediate restoration of democracy and rule of law in Pakistan. This is the severest possible action ever since Pakistan came into being. To be precise during earlier military rule lasting nearly 26 years i.e. almost half of the post independence period Commonwealth had never gone to such an extent. This is because of the fact that Great Britain invariably had pro-Pak leanings particularly towards its Army Generals because Pakistan happened to be military ally in the erstwhile SEATO and CENTO military alliances. These alliances in fact were meant to counter fast spreading Communism and Pakistan provided many military bases in return for massive free military weapon systems. This time round there is no such compulsion in that Cold War era is over and communism is dead worldwide. To that extent Britain and all other members of Commonwealth love democracy and rule of law and hate to see military dictators subverting democratic institutions in any country. In fact, there is a clause in the Commonwealth constitution that prescribes not only suspension of any country deviating from democracy but also loss of total membership. There is also a clause which can allow 2 years time to the member country for restoration of democracy.

In the instant case the point to be noted is that none of the 54 members even remotely supported Pak military take-over. Muslim countries were as much vocal and critical as Great Britain. The moves initiated by one or two members to allow Pak military rulers upto 2 years time for restoring democracy in Pakistan did not find any taker. To be precise members wanted much more stringent action than mere suspension for indefinite period. That is why options have been kept upon to enforce more rigid punishment for Pakistan if it fails to restore democratic order. In this context Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group formed for the purpose has been asked to keep close watch on the developments in Pakistan and recommend any other measure considered necessary for compelling military rulers of Pakistan to restore democratic order in the country. CMAG shall be closely monitoring trial of Nawaz Sharif by the military rulers under Terrorist Activities Act which has to dispose of the case within 7 days either way. The charges on which Nawaz Sharif is booked prescribe capital punishment. This is something to which Human Rights watchdogs and democratic countries cannot acquiesce with. That is why CHOGM has asked for immediate release of Nawaz Sharif from military detention.

Prime Minister Vajpayee who vociferously opposed dilution of suspension was able to persuade even Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Hasina who had earlier advocated giving Pak two years time. Although Nawaz Sharif has been unfair and unkind to India by retracting and violating Lahore Declaration, as regards democratic order, there are no two opinions about it. Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh is quite vocal that India can indeed talk to even military rulers as it has done in the past during 26 year long military dictatorship provided General Musharaff stops sponsorship of terrorism and starts respecting LoC. After all India as also other countries continue to maintain diplomatic relationship. To that extent dialogue is a continuous process but it has to be conditional to cessation of transborder terrorism. Unless this happens, there is no fun in having any dialogue.

Taken in its entirety, 54 member group has condemned Pakistan for subverting democratic order which is not acceptable to civilised world. Pakistan can ill-afford total isolation and it has got to be making some positive moves towards restoration of democracy in the country to be acceptable to not only Commonwealth nations but also all the countries including United Nations.

UN Sanctions

United Nations have imposed stringent sanctions against Taliban Government of Afghanistan for its failure to hand-over Osama bin Laden to either USA or any other third country. It may be recalled that UN had put Kabul on notice to comply with its resolution by November 14 or face sanctions. It is of historical interest to note that till date Taliban Government stands recognised by only three countries in the world although they control more than three-fourth of Afghanistan. These countries are Pakistan, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Some mild sanctions were already in existence that should have conveyed the right message to Afghan rulers. These Talibans who now rule Afghanistan are the product of Pak Madrassas where instead of religious education, they have been imparted military training as also converted them into world class terrorists. Initially such Taliban advance into Afghanistan had the support of America in that it wanted the golden route via Afghanistan for large oil reserves available in Central Asian Republics. This golden route however failed to materialise when Afghanistan controlled by Talibans became the hub of training and spreading global terrorism. America realised the blunder only when master terrorist Osama bin Laden was provided sanctuary and he became the most sought after terrorist in America for blasting two American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya which took a huge toll of 225 precious lives and injuries to more than 1000 besides massive destruction of American property. Thereafter Osama bin Laden has been issuing fatwas for killing all Americans and destroying their other interests worldwide. America had also launched cruise missile attack to kill Osama bin Laden and destroy his hideouts and terrorist training centres in Afghanistan. Taliban Government has however refused to comply with UN orders to hand over Osama bin Laden on the plea that he is their honoured ‘guest’ and it is Afghan tradition not to handover the guests to the enemy.

Sanctions thus comes into force. It will entail seizure of all Afghan assets abroad. It will also result in stoppage of all airflights to and from Afghanistan. Above all economic assistance ceases forthwith. The result is economic chaos, hunger and penury. Afghan currency which was available at 43000 to a dollar plummetted to 54000 to a dollar after the sanction came into force. The fact is that these sanctions have the seal of UN and all UN members are bound by it. None of them can violate it. It also includes Pakistan, UAE and Saudi Arabia who have recognised Taliban Government in Kabul. Seen in this perspective Pakistan which happens to the largest material supporter of Taliban regime will be constantly on notice not to violate UN sanctions. Pakistan military rulers thus would be under acute pressure from the United Nations as regards sanctions against Taliban regime and support to Al Qadr terrorist outfit of Osama bin Laden. It is appropriate to mention that threats of hurting American interests is also applicable to India by the same person and many of the mercenaries now operating in J&K in fact are sponsored by Osama bin Laden having been trained in his Afghan training camps. To be precise these sanctions are against Pan Islamic fundamentalism and to that extent India is on strong pedestal vis-a-vis Pak terrorism.

Tragedy of collective neglect

By G. S. Khosla

The preliminary enquiry report on the recent train tragedy at Gaisal puts blame on the railway staff for their negligence. The poor performance of the Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway, specially with regard to train accidents, has been a matter of concern for a long time. The main reason is the total reluctance of officers to accept posting there. Lack of motivation and sincerity of purpose is the sole reason for the poor performance of the NF Railways. Railways has to find new ways to post willing and motivated officers there.

The Gaisal tragedy was indeed one of the most horrible ones. In a way, it was a freak incident of its own kind. The chief commissioner of railway safety had described it as an act of commission, implying that it was not a case of human failure out of negligence or carelessness, and that it was either a deliberate act of mischief or total ignorance of basic rules of train operation on the part of the entire staff involved in receiving and despatching those trains that day. If it is latter, it would appear that those who permitted train operations were not authorised to do so, for authorised persons cannot make such gross errors.

There is an expression of horror by all and sundry when passenger trains collide and human lives are lost. Those not connected with train operations wonder if it is possible to fit some automatic device that could prevent collisions. It is simply not possible. There can be no device that could physically prevent two trains from colliding with each other if allowed to run on the same track in opposite directions. Similarly, if another train is received on an occupied track only providence can save collision. There can be no device other than good sense and diligence that can prevent collisions.

Train accidents are caused by collective negligence on the part of a group of staff. The emphasis is on 'collective negligence' since conditions for collision cannot be created by mistake, negligence or default of a single person. Safety of train operations is dependant on at least one more person cross-checking the action of the person who sets the points and crossings or gives authority to proceed.

At Gaisal there were multiple failures. First, the route was set for wrong track without any apparent reason and the station master failed to check it. Secondly, the station masters of next two stations failed to ensure proper conditions before the driver was authorised to go forward. Either the station master issued paper line clear (PLC) without obtaining permission from the station ahead or the station ahead gave permission without stopping conflicting movements. All evidence points towards either a deliberate act of sabotage or total lack of concern for safety.

No device of any sort could have prevented this accident. All devices are ultimately operated manually or have a manual override function to take care of special circumstances such as those prevailed at Gaisal. The station working rules were in a state of suspension due to signalling work in progress. Under such circumstances, the station staff are authorised to issue PLC after taking prescribed precautions. This accident took place due to two sets of staff failed to exercise due diligence.

Between 1.4.'96-31.3.'99 there were 77 train collisions. In 11 of them passenger trains were involved. An average rate of 22 goods and four passenger trains collide per year, which is far too high because each one of them had the potential of causing large casualties. Of the 77 collisions, eight were due to trains colliding with derailed wagons on the adjoining track. The rest 69 were happened on the same track pointing to sheer negligence on the part of either station staff or train crew. Maximum damage is caused when a train enters the territory of another train. There were 32 such cases, an average of 10 per year. Of them 19 were due to station staff receiving or dispatching trains in occupied tracks, eight due to drivers entering occupied territory without authority and three due to trains rolling down gradients and unable to stop. Clearly all could have prevented but 27 of them were due to unpardonable negligence.

In the Gaisal accident, assuming that it was not caused by deliberate mischief, it is obvious that the train was sent on the wrong track without any valid reason and then due precautions were not taken to prevent conflicting movements. Trained persons do not make such mistakes. The three station masters of Gaisal and the two previous stations, had obviously allowed untrained hands to handle train operation. They were either not present or they were sleeping or simply relied on their subordinates spoken word. Individual staff do go to sleep, they do make mistakes but it seldom happens collectively. When it does, disaster is imminent. The supervisory staff, it would appear, were not doing regular surprise night inspections resulting in mass irregularity.

The conditions in north-east being what they are, officers do not like to be posted on the NF Railways. When posted against their choice they do not transfer their families since they are permitted to retain houses at their previous posting stations, and this had always proved to be counter-productive.

There appears to be only one solution. Class I officers should be posted to this railway at the time of their first appointment after probation for a fixed period of five years at the end of which they should be given railway of their choice. The existing incentive of an extra allowance would act as additional incentives. Moreover, officers opting to go there in senior administrative grade should be given weightage of one year in seniority by advancing their date of increment in time scale. Officers failing to perform should be withdrawn with an indelible remark in their record. INAV

Top priority to security in coming millennium

By D K Arora

Among other thing, the security of civil aviation may very well be the most vital as a problem in the coming millennium. Civil aviation, more than any other field, can be said to have brought the world to its present status - that of a ‘global village’ - to coin a current popular phrase - because it has facilitated the rapid expansion and movement of billions of individuals around the globe.

Three principles - Identity, Implement and Sustain - form the core of aviation security and these will help to design a strategy for predicting international security requirements into the new millennium, according to Mr Shaukat Ali, ICAO's regional air transport officer for Asia and Pacific.

To understand the principle identity one must evaluate the threat to civil aviation. In the past decade alone, there have been widespread advances in technology and its global dispersion as the lowest common denominator. The former blocs of nations have shifted and reinvented themselves, thus forever changing the bipolarity of the world's spheres of influence. And there has also been a shift in national objectives from political interests to a more economic focus. These are just a few of the factors that will affect our evaluation.

To determine the types and levels of threats that loom in the murky path ahead, Mr Shaukat Ali says in the paper, "International Security Requirements - Implementation and Challenges for the Future", presented at the ninth ACI-Pacific Regional Assembly and Conference, a formula of some type should be developed. A methodology identifying vulnerabilities within civil aviation could perhaps be employed where traditional thinking joins with innovative new criteria. For example, what is there to prevent us even from beginning to forecast the security needs of inter-planetary travel accessible to the public ?

This thought is not without basis. An office already exists under the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation of the United States Federal Aviation Administration which, among other things, plans regulatory practices for space travel. Just 50 years ago, it would have been considered an aberration to discuss security at airports. The point is that a methodology should be created not only from facts, but even from our imaginations - a desirable attribute to have during the identification phase.

Until such criteria and methodology are developed, Mr Shaukat Ali proposes that the following areas constitute the threats against civil aviation, at least in the early part of the next millennium : 1. Cyber-terrorism, 2. Trafficking in nuclear and other fissionable materials, 3. Sabotage incited by economic rivalry, 4. The unruly passenger, 5. Unauthorised transport of dangerous goods, 6. Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADs), 7. Continuation of terrorists acts in the pursuit of various objectives.

Each of these areas could have serious impact on civil aviation operations, which must generate more intensive examination on how to counter each situation. Some areas are already under ICAO Council consideration. For example, the issue of MANPADs - shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles - was examined at the 32nd ICAO Assembly, culminating in a resolution which requests that contracting States exercise controls over the export of MANPADs to reduce the potential for disreputable agents to acquire these weapons. In another example, there is an ongoing joint study by ICAO with IATA, IFALPA and others, assessing the impact that disruptive passengers have on the security and safety of air operations.

The decision-makers in the field of civil aviation are quite naturally concerned with cost-effectiveness. For example, what would it cost the carrier to implement and maintain security measures and will it lower the profit margin ? Moreover, how would the cost input of security measures weigh in comparison to an aviation disaster caused by an act of unlawful interference ?

When making this cost analysis, attention must be paid to a new factor which has recently been brought into being. This is a new legal instrument, agreed by 118 contracting states, at the International Conference on Air Law held in May of this year under the auspices of ICAO.

This legal instrument initiated a two-tier system whereby in the instance of death or injury to passengers, irrespective of a carrier's fault, the liability was substantially raised from its previous limit under the Warsaw System. However, the second tier is based on the presumption of fault by a carrier and has no limit of liabiilty. The latter tier will obviously be linked directly with the consequences of poor security practices resulting in an aviation disaster. Therefore, this historic air law agreement should underscore the importance of the second principle : Implementation.

Under the implementation principle, the top focus of the States should be on the implementation of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in Annex 17. ICAO's role, which at present is confined to assessing the degree of effective implementation, could be expanded in the area of improved reporting and monitoring and thus enhance the reporting of differences and compliance with SARPs.

The main purpose to security counter measures is, undisputedly, that of deterrence - in other words, stopping the would-be criminal, terrorist, disgruntled employee, or even unruly passenger before he or she can take unlawful action. Even though it is difficult to quantify the success of such a method - other than the noted absence, or reduction, of unlawful actions - a public relations campaign actively proclaiming that security measures are in effect would-be perpetrator, and secondarily, by instilling confidence in the passenger.

It is also believed that the effectiveness of civil air security is degraded when airlines and governments use a reactive approach when dictating countermeasures. They should be focusing on allocating funds for personnel, training and equipment necessary for strategic or long-term goals.

This highlights the need for the tird principle : Sustain. Sustainability can be defined as the proven capability and desire to maintain reliable security practices at all times and is evaluated through an active survey and inspection programme. There are many facets to sustainability. The first of these concerns inspections and testing of security countermeasures and assets - the "what" of a security programme. This phase quantifies what is being done to counter threats to the security of the air traveller. It should be done routinely while identifying procedures and assets as if it were a snapshot in time.

The second facet is the security audit, which expands on the "what" and asks "why" are those particular procedures and assets in place ? This phase examines in depth the genesis of security activities, evaluates the necessity for change, and the potential for enhanced procedures and assets.

And the third facet... "how" to find the best balance between cost and effectiveness. This phase is very important because achievement of optimum security procedures and assets can be compromised if realistic planning of budget, personnel, equipment and other such factors is disregarded. It is contended that of the three principles, the most important is that of sustainability, because without a commitment to do that, the other principles would be ineffectual.

To conclude, challenge negates stagnation, counters complacency and ultimately, translates into progress. We can accept that much has been accomplished in the aviation security field in recent decades, but we must also anticipate the challenes ahead. - CNF

Law bends the poor, but fails to break the rich

By Joginder Singh, IPS (Retd.)

Financial mismanagement and lapses have led to losses in the form of Non-Paying Accounts or Non-Performing Assets, to the extent of Rs Fifty thousand crores. Another form of losses, which is occurring at present, it the non-payment of dues even by the State Governments. The States like UP, Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi have got away, without paying to the power generating agency, National Thermal Power Corporation, dues worth over Rs 10,700 crores. Bihar has not paid any dues, which stand at Rs 1860 crores for the last nineteen months, followed by Delhi of Rs 2039 crores for the last eleven months, UP with Rs 2096 crores for the last nine months and West Bengal Rs 995 crores between 13 to 20 six months. It is not that the State Electricity Boards have not been collecting the bills from the consumers. The honest consumers have been paying through their noses. It is only the populist give-away schemes and the lack of political will to stop theft and transmission losses which have brought about this situation.

Every activity of the Government in power or the opposition is not slanted towards solving the problem. It is adjudged as to how it is going to affect the vote bank. First we overstaff. Then we go for Voluntary Retirement Schemes. A committee, on the revival of three public sector banks, that is, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and Indian Bank, has identified that the banks are overstaffed by 30 per cent and voluntary retirement is the only solution. On the contrary, the Government, without realising the implications on the economy, raised the age of retirement to 60 years. Instead of letting people go at the age of 58, it gave across the board extension of two years to everybody. Though most of the public sector units with a few exceptions, are a losing proposition, the Union Cabinet agreed to give a pay hike to their staff, to the extent of over Rs 2000 crores in May 1999. It left the decision to each organisation depending upon its financial situation. This means another round of strikes and demands and dharnas till the units already in the red are bled white or are closed down.

In place of concrete work, what we are getting are only dreams and promises. Proposed industries, roads and water supply exist only on paper, as the Government is perpetually complaining of shortage of funds. The result has been selective enforcement of laws. The rich and those enjoying power have managed to emaculate laws with impunity. The richer and the more powerful the man, the more contempt he has for the laws and system. He is confident in his belief that he can bend, twist and manipulate the laws to his needs and whims. Numberous powerful politicians, including ministers and Chief Ministers have got away with amassing crores of public money, without as much as "by your leave". Weak, vacillating, inert, inactive and appeasing successive governments have brought the situation to this pass, where an impression is sought to be created that money can settle every problem and buy everything. This has led to a situation of lethargy, insensitivity, all around corruption and total lack of response to the genuine problems of the people. Matching talent with experience and effectiveness in delivering has been the weak point of the government.

It may appear a little surprising that we are living in segments of prosperity amidst dire poverty. Last year, India consumed 737 tons of gold, worth about $7 billion. It is more than the consumption of China and USA combined for the same period. India's official holding of 400 tons of gold with the Reserve Bank of India is valued at $3 billions. The gold in private individual's hands is estimated to be 10,000 tons priced at $100 billions. Our politicians, including some former Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers and ministers have been talking about good governance like as if they were delivering a class room lecture. Pray, one may ask them a simple question as to what happened when they had the opportunity to put things right. What occasioned them to fritter away the opportunity and support the corrupt to the hilt for their survival. In the game and name of survival, every single principle of good governance, whether it be efficiency or curbing of corruption or redressal of public grievance or transparency, has been sacrified, giving an ugly face to our polity.

One important office-bearer of the ruling party, in a state said : "The presence of one or two corrupt ministers is sullying the image of the government". Apart from the corruption being rampant, the law and order has taken a nosedive in most of the urban areas, especially the metropolitan towns in the country. The spate of robberies, thefts and murders shows an alarming rise in heinous and non-heinous crimes, affecting the common man in the country.

A member of Parliament is allowed 2200 units of electricity per month. They are required to pay only for the excess consumption. Since 1994, members of Parliament owe an amount of Rs 5.3 crores to the New Delhi Municipal Council. On a Public Interest Litigation the Delhi High Court had asked it to explain why it did not disconnect electricity for the defaulting members of Parliament, as it did for ordinary consumers.

The instability has forced a new breed of politicians in the country or modified the ones we have to a type who have to be manoeuvrer rather than performers to stay in office as long as possible. The result is that there is a full-time focus for staying in power, rather than and focus on the needs of the common man in whose name the entire governance is done. Some power hungry politicians, for their personal aggrandisement, in collaboration with dishonest bureaucrats, have perverted the system. The conditions prevailing, at any given time, are reflected in the political governance. This includes the ethics, culture and values cherished. The moral fibre is the pre-condition of a clean society. Indirectly, those who not only tolerate the same, but also refuse to fight encourage evil and evil practices.

Resistance to malpractices, evils and punishing those involved is the only way to curb them. In Bihar vigilance officials raided the residences of a minister designate, registrar, deputy registrar and controller of examination of a university in connection with a racket of issuing fake certificates in teachers training course for huge sums. - CNF

Nehru was pained to see untouchability

By Bindeshwar Pathak

Jawaharlal Nehru's great contributions as an architect of democratic and modern India divert attention from his concern for the undergo. Actually, a great yearning to do good to the people at the bottom rung of society was his abiding passion to which he gave vent in his very first broadcast on the occasion of the installation of the Interim National Government on September 7, 1946, when he said : "We shall look to the common and forgotten man in India and seek to bring him relief and raise his standard of living. We shall continue our fight against the curse of untouchability and other forms of enforced inequality, and shall especially try to help those who are economically or otherwise backward".

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on May 22, 1954, Nehru said : "I do not think it is possible for you to think in terms of change, ignoring economic and social change. Take the problem of untouchability. I cannot quote the sacred books, but many people held that the sacred books enjoined on them. Nevertheless, we came to the conclusion long ago that it must be done away with, not only because it was unjust, but, as Gandhiji repeatedly said, for the very survival of Hindu society". Thanks to Nehru's concern for the safai mazdoors, an important committee known as the Scavenging Conditions Enquiry Committee under the chairmanship of Prof N R Malkani was set up in 1957.

But far from being satisfied with whatever he had been able to do for scavengers, India's first Prime Minister, towards the evening of his life, was pained by the fact that the problems of scavengers had not received sufficient attention. Speaking at a conference of Safai Mazdoors at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on January 2, 1964, Panditji said although during the past 15 years the country had made strides on the industrial and agricultural fronts, depressed classes could not receive the attention they deserved because of their pathetic plight. According to some reports of this conference, Panditji was visibly moved and his eyes were wet with tears when he made reference to the curse of untouchability the scavengers suffer from.

Though not prevalent in as virulent a form as 50 years ago, untouchability continues to make the life of six million scavengers and their offspring miserable thanks to the deeply-entrenched social prejudice against them. The root cause of the problem is their profession, which involves manual removal of nightsoil to keep the society clean. Since the profession is stigmatised, whoever is involved in it becomes untouchable.

Under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, untouchability is a congnizable, non-compoundable offence which can lead to maximum punishment of six months' imprisonment with Rs 500 as fine if the offence is committed for the first time. For second-time offenders, maximum punishment is one year in jail with Rs 1,000 as fine. Public servants who wilfully neglect investigation of any offence punishable under the Act are deemed to have abetted the offence. Yet untouchability prevails and has attracted a lot of attention recently.

According to the 1991 census, there are 13.82 crore Scheduled Castes, constituting 16.48 per cent of the country's population. As much as 77.5 per cent of the Scheduled Caste population live in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka. Why they have remained segregated from the other castes is mainly due to the still strongly - entrenched caste system. All those engaged in unclean, obnoxious occupations like sweeping, scavenging, flaying and tanning are not only underpaid and exploited, but also treated as outcastes or pariahs.

Nehru agreed with Gandhiji that untouchability was the greatest blot on Indian society. Although they were like other members of society, the Harijans suffered from this evil because of their profession : physically removing nightsoil. Gandhiji began to advocate, indeed made it a condition for admission to his ashrams, that everybody must clean his own toilet. He thought if everyone became scavenger, prejudice against the people who had depended on the profession for generations would go away and they would cease to suffer from any stigma.

Thanks to public opinion created by Gandhiji's campaign and Nehru's abhorrence for it untouchability was banned under Article 17 of the Constitution after Independence. With a view to giving teeth to legislative enactments seeking an end to this obnoxious practice, laws were amended. Finally, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, was put on the statute books to effectively deal with the problem.

Although officially untouchability has been removed, it continues to exist in the minds of people. Caste prejudice against scavengers who belong to the lower rungs of the social order is blamed for the continuation of this practice. Tacit acceptance of the evil on the part of scavengers is mentioned as another reason for untouchability surviving to this day. While there is no dearth of explanations for the odious practice, attempts are seldom made to trace the root cause of the problem.

If untouchability has not disappeared, it is due to the lopsided approach adopted to deal with it. While it has attracted a lot of flak, the practice of scavenging which gives rise to it has not received the attention it deserves. If the zeal and enthusiasm against untouchability had also been directed against the dry latrine system, the cleaning of which makes scavengers untouchable, untouchability would have disappeared long ago. Actually, even by 2002, by deadline set for an end to scavenging by the government now, the evil may keep starting at in the face.
 



| home | state | national | business | editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search |
subscribe | send mail |